Cat and cat food: types, manufacturers rating and selection rules

Cat lovers are constantly faced with the issue of feeding their pets. Some adhere to natural nutrition, while others are supporters of the diet, which includes exclusively industrial products for animals. At the same time, feed purchased in stores has a number of features that should be considered when acquiring a particular composition.

The cat’s natural diet should consist of quality products prepared specifically for the animal. When cooking, you should consider the age category of the animal, features and state of health, as well as tastes in food. Making the right diet is often difficult; it is time consuming. That is why the owners of tailed pets are increasingly turning to store trains.

The main advantage of industrial feed is their nutrition and saturation of the body with all useful substances and vitamins. When feeding a cat with balanced products, you should not worry about adding additional minerals and vitamins to her diet. All substances and useful elements are already in the feed. Depending on the class and type, products for cats are intended for consumption by various animals.

There are also products aimed at the treatment of diseases and their prevention. Food with dietary meat (lamb, chicken and turkey) is designed for animals that lead a sedentary lifestyle and are prone to obesity.Fiber products contribute to a good metabolism and normalization of various organs.

Of the minuses, it is worth noting the low quality of the compositions of some manufacturers. In the economy class feed, in addition to flavor enhancers, artificial additives, flavorings and preservatives, nothing else is contained. The use of such products leads to many diseases and disorders in the body systems.

Also, when feeding should take into account the health status of the animal. Dry feeds are almost moisture free. Therefore, for cats suffering from diseases of the kidneys and urinary system, it is worth buying only specialized dry food that has therapeutic and therapeutic properties.

Cat products are divided into the following types:

• dry granules;
• wet type of food: paste, jelly, canned food.

Dry feed owners of those cats who have no time to bother with feeding their pet prefer. The food is left for the whole day, but you can not be afraid that it will deteriorate. The downside is that drying contains only about 10% of the liquid. Therefore, there must be constant access to water during feeding. With insufficient water in the body, the urine of the animal becomes more concentrated, this contributes to the development of various diseases of the urinary system.

Also, do not buy products that contain a high content of vegetable protein. With frequent use of vegetable protein, a cat develops not only an urolithiasis, but also a weakened immune system. This is due to the fact that plant protein is not able to supply the body with important amino acids. A lack of taurine begins, which leads to blindness, atrophy and a breakdown of the nervous system.

Wet Industrial Feed Available in soft bags, in small portions. Each serving consists of mouth-watering slices with sauce. There is also canned food - a universal option for those animals that consume a small amount of water. Canned food can be stored for a long time, provided the packaging is intact.

Such food reminds cats of natural food, as the consistency of the mass is close to natural, and has a rich flavor palette. Such formulations can feed pets who are on a therapeutic diet. The disadvantage is the appearance of stone on the teeth of the animal. In addition, when using such feeds, processes in the formation of jaw muscles are disrupted, which contributes to the appearance of pain in the gums.

Another type of product for cats is raw food. This type of cat food has appeared relatively recently, but step by step is gaining supporters around the world. It is called "holistic." The composition of raw feed is completely natural, and is close to the natural nutrition of cats in the wild. The composition of the Russian producer contains raw meat, quail egg, vegetables, bran and offal.

Russian company Superpet produces natural, raw feeds, which already have all the useful macro- and microelements, as well as vitamins. But it is important to remember about the absence of vegetable protein in such feeds. Good holistic foods are produced in Finland, Poland, France and other European countries.

Balanced products for cats are divided not only into species, but also classified into 4 categories:

• economy;
• Premium
• super premium;
• holistic.

Products from the category of economy class have a low price. This is their only advantage. Cheap cost due to the composition of low quality, the presence of flavor enhancers, preservatives and additives. In such feeds, natural meat and components of plant origin are completely absent.Economy class feeds cause malfunctions in important processes of the cat’s body, cause digestive disorders, gastritis, diarrhea, and contribute to the development of urolithiasis and other serious diseases.

Premium products are considered much better than the previous category, but not suitable for everyday pet feeding. The composition of such feeds includes natural components, but their percentage is very small, and they can not be called useful. In addition to having a small percentage of natural meat, it also contains flavor enhancers and preservatives.

The composition of the feed is super-premium contains high-quality ingredients, nutrients and natural meat. Flavors and preservatives are completely absent. This type of feed has a high price.

Also exist professional treatment series feed, which is aimed at treating the animal and further prevention. The feed of the treatment series is produced for animals that are most susceptible to various diseases or are being treated by a veterinarian. The use of medicinal feeds can be called the prophylactic method of feeding animals that have had a certain illness or are undergoing a postoperative period.

Veterinarian must prescribe therapeutic feed. Before this, the cat must be examined. Only after passing all the tests and making a diagnosis is assigned a diet for the animal. The animal should feed the feed of the treatment line for six months. Then a break is made. However, a pathology such as urolithiasis determines a strict diet and therapy until the end of the animal’s life. therefore any change in diet and feed replacement can lead to serious consequences or even death of a cat. All feeding tips and advice are provided. the attending physician.

To date, the variety of cat food is quite large. There are feeds for removing wool, sensitive digestion, maintaining a normal state of the kidneys and reproductive system, and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Firms also produce products for animals overweight. These foods are labeled light. Preventive products in this line contain the least amount of fat, which helps control the weight of a cat or cat.

Another class of feed includes products of the age category. The age line is also divided into subspecies:

• up to 1 year;
• 1-6 years old;
• animals over 7 years old.

Absolutely all companies are involved in the production of a diet for adult cats. Some manufacturers produce a special line for groups of cats by age: +8, +11, +13. The range of such products includes vitamins, various beneficial substances, for example, glucosamine and chondroitin, which contribute to the maintenance of the bone and muscle systems. For cats that are fastidious in food, they release a special food marked vitality. It is also provided for those animals that have reduced energy costs and have a sedentary lifestyle.

One of the categories of feed classification can be called products that are produced for individual breeds. Feed for breeds of small and medium sizes differ in composition, purpose and properties. Product properties for a particular breed are completely different. In the manufacture of all characteristics, breed features and a predisposition to various diseases are taken into account.

The composition of such feeds is aimed at preventing the occurrence of ailments, improving metabolism and normalizing vital processes in the animal's body. For large breeds and overweight cats, it’s important to have foods that prevent obesity.

Now on the market there are many companies that are engaged in the production of cat food. Below is a list of the most famous manufacturers.

Opens the review of the TOP-12 popular brands by Pro Plan. The premium category food contains beneficial micro and macro elements that make the cat's diet full and rich in nutrients. Balanced products are suitable for different animals. So, the company produces wet, dry food, food for kittens, pregnant cats, adults, there is also a medical, preventive series for animals with the presence of any disease.

Medicinal feed should be purchased only after the recommendation of a veterinarian. Products contain 40% protein and 20% fatty acids, which makes the food quite nutritious and healthy. Of the minuses, it is worth noting that Pro Plan products can only be found in pet stores.

A company from the Czech Republic specializes in sales of cat food for more than 20 years, but has appeared on the Russian market relatively recently. Brit Premium food is generally of high quality. Due to the content of only natural components, proteins, fats, vitamins and various beneficial substances, the feed is easily absorbed by the intestines. In addition, the composition contains useful safe substances that contribute to the normalization of the vital processes of all organs of the animal.

After several days of feeding, all important body systems return to normal, the condition of the coat improves, and digestion normalizes. Preservatives, dyes and harmful components are completely absent. A minor minus is the presence of some cereals.

The assortment of the company's lineup is represented by a huge variety of products for any animals. Royal Canin produces feed for kittens, healthy, adult cats, sterilized animals, for pets with sensitive digestion, for the prevention of urolithiasis, for cats and cats in the postoperative period. The composition is rich in fiber, animal and vegetable proteins, cereals.

The composition also contains a certain amount of yeast to normalize digestion. A specialized diet for kittens contains a large number of vitamins, minerals and proteins, which are necessary for the proper formation of the bone and muscle systems, heart and other organs of the baby. Less: from a wide variety of rulers, it is difficult to choose the appropriate diet for a particular individual.

This manufacturer is very popular among cat lovers. High quality products are presented in the form of dry, wet food and canned food. Products are divided into types depending on the type of meat used in the production: chicken, rabbit and beef. These ingredients nourish the cat's body with beneficial substances, minerals, and essential carbohydrates.

Hill's range of feeds is available for kittens, older animals, pets with problems of the cardiovascular and digestive systems. In addition, this food can be used to feed healthy cats. To maintain the health and prevention of various diseases of adult animals, the manufacturer produces a therapeutic line. The disadvantage is the high content of carbohydrates and fats in some types of feed.

Products are manufactured in England. The composition has excellent taste properties, contains a moderate ratio of proteins, fatty acids and carbohydrates. In the manufacture of products, real meat, egg, potatoes are used, valuable useful elements and vitamins are added to the feed. It is worth noting the absence of cereals and grains in the composition, which makes this feed a natural product.

Food has hypoallergenic properties and is suitable for any age and breed of animal.Thanks to a complex of vitamins and nutrients, the cat becomes active and energetic, improves the condition of teeth and coat, normalizes metabolism, and improves digestion.

This food is produced in France. Before release, the products are tested and tested for quality standard. The percentage of proteins is 30%, which is the norm.. In addition to the protein included in the preparation, fish oil, eggs, rice cereal, flaxseed and yucca extract are added. The last component neutralizes bad breath. The choice of feed line is diverse, and is designed for any animal with its own characteristics of the body and state of health.

The disadvantage is the salt content in the composition. This leads to a slight thirst for the pet.

The line of the German manufacturer was developed by veterinarians and zoologists. A series of products has about 20 types of feed, taking into account the age of the pet and its state of health. The composition contains extracts of herbs, vegetables, fruits, beetroot flour, pear flour, dry egg, Omega-3, minerals, additional nutrients and vitamins. A special series of products is presented by feed for pregnant individuals.

Thanks to the use of such products, the body of a cat and kittens will be supplied with useful minerals and substances, and the risk of premature individuals or the death of offspring is eliminated. Disadvantage: it contains a small amount of allergenic substances.

This is a company from Canada that produces a line of feeds for cats and cats. Products not only saturates the animal’s body with nutrients, but also protects them from negative effects on the immune system, supports a healthy state and emotional background. Also, when eating food, many cat ailments are prevented. Now Natural can be safely classified as a luxury food. The composition contains the optimal amount of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Chicken and duck meat supplements make the diet more dietary.

Do not be afraid that frequent feeding will cause obesity. Thanks to the optimal ratio of nutrients, Now Natural products help to normalize metabolism, and also gives the cat vitality and energy. Additional additives in the form of salmon flour make this product hypoallergenic. Of the minuses, only the high cost.

This is Italian-made food. The composition contains a large amount of natural turkey meat. The products of this company are divided into several subspecies. Almo produces dry food, canned food, wet food and goodies. The composition of this feed is completely balanced, which contributes to good digestion, improvement of the reproductive system processes, and healthy functioning of the kidneys.

Products belong to the category of holistic, therefore the cat does not need additional useful vitamins and supplements. But the composition has its drawbacks. Since the feed is produced in Europe, there are some problems with the translation of ingredients in the Russian market. In addition, the quality of dry food is inferior to the quality of canned food.

Another Italian manufacturer. It contains about 30% duck meat, which is an excellent source of protein. Also, the composition of the feed contains vitamins, micro and macro elements, vegetable protein. The source of vegetable protein is the presence of potatoes. The content of fats, natural antioxidants (grapes, turmeric, citrus fruits) and fiber helps to nourish the body with beneficial substances and maintain immunity.

By production use only natural products. Additives are present in the feed, but as the manufacturers claim, it absolutely natural and healthy substances. Disadvantage: not always in pet stores.

This is a company from Canada. This product is made from free range poultry meat. This type of chicken is considered the most valuable and has a high cost. The composition also contains additives from red meat, eggs and fish. Before cooking, used vegetables and fruits are thoroughly tested. The quality of the components contained in the composition can be called ideal.

The products are suitable for both kittens and age individuals. Due to its balanced composition, the animal will receive all the nutrients and vitamins necessary to maintain immunity. When feeding Acana, don’t think about adding extra vitamins and minerals to your cat’s diet.

In the first place TOP-12 of popular feed manufacturers is the company Orijen. This line of feed is quite expensive, but deservedly takes first place in the list. The product has excellent taste, contains all the necessary nutrients for animal immunity. They produce products in the form of wet food, pellets and canned goods.

The composition is dominated by a high content of natural meat (turkey, chicken), liver supplements (chicken and beef), eggs, meat of various types of fish. The feed also contains high-quality cereals, which contribute to the nutrition of the cat's body with natural carbohydrates. The only disadvantage of this line is the high price.

All feed is produced in various packaging. In pet stores you can find packages weighing from 1 to 10 kg. The weight of the package is determined by the manufacturer.

All products for cats and cats are divided into categories and classes. Before choosing a food for your pet, the owner should carefully study the composition on the package. If components such as bone meal and offal, preservatives and flavorings are listed, this food should not be taken.

It is also worth paying attention to the first ingredient in the composition. As a rule, in the first place is the percentage of those products that prevail in the feed. For example, fish, meat or poultry. The shorter the list on the package, the better. Super premium products and holistic products contain only selected meat. It can be beef, rabbit or chicken meat, sea and river fish.

The diet of a cat should not consist of feed from various manufacturers, because cats and cats become finicky with age. In addition, the variety of industrial feed in the diet can disrupt the intestinal microflora, which leads to digestive disorders, gastritis and other diseases.

When choosing food, you must take into account the condition of the cat. If the animal has a tendency to allergies, you should not purchase products with cereal content, the best solution would be to buy fodder with legumes. For the prevention of digestive upsets, rice supplemented foods are a good choice.

Such products are low-calorie, contains antioxidants and vitamins. There are diet foods that are produced without chicken or rabbit. The substitute comes turkey meat, which is an easily digestible dietary product. Such feeding does not overload the body, while the saturation and nutrition of the animal comes with vitamins and nutrients.

Consider what must be included.

• Fish, meat protein. Protein is an indispensable helper in the healthy functioning of all the organs of a pet.Feline diet with lamb, chicken, rabbit promotes good growth and strengthening immunity.
• Taurine ensures the maintenance of a good state of the cardiovascular system and vision. The presence of amino acids in the composition of the product improves metabolism.
• Fats necessary for the brain to maintain healthy animal energy, as well as for the visual and auditory systems.
• Vitamins, macro- and microelements - These are substances that support the cat's body, they strengthen the immune system and remove harmful toxins from the body. With the help of macro- and microelements, normalization of vital processes occurs, and the condition of bones, muscles and ligaments improves.

With a high content of carbohydrates in the body, diabetes, obesity develops, hormonal disruptions and disturbances in reproductive processes occur. Therefore, the diet of the animal should contain a small amount of carbohydrates with a low glycemic index, as well as fiber. Fiber is found in vegetables, fruits, and cereals. When buying products for your pet, you should pay attention to this indicator.

The percentage of cereals and vegetables in the composition is 25-30%. The permissible norm is up to 50%. It is also worth paying special attention to the presence of protein. Do not take food where the label says “animal products”.

Each manufacturer on the packaging of their products writes how much food can be given to the pet during the day, depending on weight, condition and age. It is impossible to overfeed an animal. Dry feed should be 2-3 times a day. At the same time, there should always be fresh water in the public domain next to the feed.

When choosing a premium food or holistic, it is not recommended to feed the cat with something else. Diet should be monotonous. Do not worry that the cat will get bored or harm your health. On the contrary, in order to avoid various diseases and complications of the digestive tract and kidneys, veterinarians advise feeding animals only one type of food, and in no case introduce natural food into the diet.

Some cat owners prefer to feed their pet with both dry and wet food. A balanced diet includes dry food as the main one, and it can be supplemented with wet products. Both species contain nutrients and elements, despite the differences in the pros and cons of such products. Zoologists and veterinarians have different opinions about such feeding.

There is no single answer to the question of a balanced diet. In any case, if the animal suffers from any diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, then such nutrition can only do harm.

The advice and recommendations of veterinarians are based on one thing: cat food should be selected based on the preferences of the animal itself, its state of health and age.

To date, the optimal amount of protein that a healthy, energetic individual needs is known. The protein norm in the feed should be 30-40%. Super-premium feeds and holivics contain proteins that are essential for the diet of exceptionally healthy animals with good metabolism.

Compounds containing a high percentage of proteins are contraindicated in sterilized and neutered individuals, animals aged, cats with diseases of the kidneys, liver and pancreas. To feed pets suffering from diseases of the liver and pancreas, it is necessary to give food, which contains not more than 13% fat. This indicator of fat should also be present in products for aged and sterilized cats.

When choosing cat food, you should pay attention to the percentage of ash and minerals. The normal rate of these substances in the feed is 7%. A percentage above 7 can adversely affect the state of immunity and the health of the urinary system.

Veterinarians insist that in order to select quality products, it is necessary to carefully study the composition of the feed. Do not save on cat health. But if there is no financial opportunity to purchase holistic class food, then you should pay attention to the category of super-premium and premium.

Artificial additives, preservatives and flavorings are almost completely absent in the feed of these categories. The only difference may be the presence of a smaller percentage of meat in the composition. But at the same time, the products are a completely balanced diet containing nutrients and vitamins to maintain the health of the animal.

In the next video, see an examination of 39 dry feeds.